In a true disaster, even smallest gesture helps, Matthew 25 Ministries official says

Parts of California have been devastated by wildfires in the past week, but relief from Greater Cincinnati is coming.Matthew 25 Ministries has a truckload of supplies headed west from its warehouse in Blue Ash.

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A group from Aldersgate Christian Academy was at Matthew 25 Ministries Friday, packing up the kinds of supplies that are headed to California.

Organizers said the students are learning, even as they help others.

“Our goal is to teach them how important it is to serve other people,” said William Marshall, principal at Aldersgate Christian Academy.

The students of all ages from the school spent the day packing up personal care items – things like toothbrushes and toothpaste. The items are similar to what’s being shipped out west.

“The kids are coming in and helping in whatever areas they can, so they realize other people have needs and they can help them,” Marshall said.

Supplies were packed onto a semi-trailer truck to be driven across country to help people forced out of their homes by the wildfires.

Matthew 25 Ministries officials said in a true disaster, even the smallest gesture helps and the organization's team is ready to respond.

“When something happens, our team is able to activate within just a couple of hours, and put a plan in place to be able to go or to help,” Joodi Archer with the ministry group said.

It will take the truck a few days to make it to the hard-hit wildfire areas, but when the supplies arrive, they’ll be distributed by Matthew 25 Ministries disaster relief team, which travels the world to lend a helping hand. Team members said they know they’re shipping more than assistance.

“It’s so easy to lose hope when you’re in that situation, and that knowledge that everybody is concerned and that there are people who want to help is something that really makes them feel a little more energized and hopeful about themselves,” Archer said.